Community News

As food insecurity in the region continues to rise, Keystone Opportunity Center (KOC) is stepping up to expand its food pantry services. The agency has assumed operation of the weekly “Fresh For All” neighborhood food distribution event formerly run by Philabundance in Souderton.

The bricks-and-mortar Food Pantry which KOC has operated throughout the years feeds many people in need in the Souderton Area School District: approximately 300,000 pounds of food are distributed annually to approximately 800 families.

“But not everyone can get to our pantry,” explained Arlene Daily, Keystone’s Executive Director. “We have been discussing ways to distribute more food out in the community: in senior centers, for example. The Fresh For All distribution will be the start of a new Mobile Food Pantry Program, with more to come.”

This new venture for Keystone Opportunity Center is the result of a partnership between:

• Keystone Opportunity Center, who operates one of the area’s largest food pantries
• Philabundance, who launched Fresh for All in Souderton in 2009
• the VNA Foundation of Greater North Penn, who funded the program transition from Philabundance to Keystone Opportunity Center
• Grace Bible Church, who hosts the event in their parking lot

Philabundance will continue to provide produce for this distribution. But Keystone Opportunity Center Food Pantry staff will oversee the weekly program, and will now be charged with raising the funds to keep it running in the future.

Fresh For All serves approximately 150 people every week, greatly expanding Keystone’s efforts to fight hunger and poverty in Bucks and Montgomery Counties.

Open every Tuesday from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm, Fresh For All customers receive 20-30 lbs of free fresh produce. Address or ID will not be required of participants, and participation will not affect other benefits.

Fresh For All is scheduled to run year-round, however severe weather may cancel individual events. To find out if a distribution has been cancelled, call 215-723-5430, ext 221, visit  www.KeystoneOpportunity.org/FreshForAll or watch our social media  www.Facebook.com/KeystoneOpp

Keystone’s Food Pantry is managed by Cindy Dembrosky, Food Pantry Manager, and employee of Keystone since 2010. The new Mobile Pantry Program will be coordinated by Chris Farley who joined Keystone earlier this year.

About Keystone Opportunity Center

Keystone Opportunity Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that offers a comprehensive array of social services that educate, encourage and empower people to become self-sufficient. Keystone Opportunity Center is housing the homeless, feeding the hungry and educating adults and families in Bucks and Montgomery Counties.  More information on Keystone Opportunity Center can be found at  www.KeystoneOpportunity.org.

Martha Washo, Sr Manager, Institutional Development, Philabundance; Arlene Daily, Executive Director-Keystone Opportunity Center; Chris Farley, Mobile Pantry Coordinator, Keystone Opportunity Center; Jessica Wyckoff, Manager, Community Food Programs, Philabundance; and Cindy Dembrosky, Food Pantry Manager, Keystone Opportunity Center